Jade beamed. “I’m Jade Reykill, Chaos Specialist, Resident Genius Number 1, and Princess of Valdier.”
“I’m Amber, resident genius, Valdier princess, and all that other blah, blah, blah stuff,” Amber said, taking Ashure’s offered hand and letting him help her to her feet.
“Valdier… I’m not sure I’m familiar with that isle. Is it near Earth? I’m familiar with that world,” Ashure said.
“Earth? That’s where our mom’s from! Have you been there? It’s really cool. We go visit Grandpa Paul’s ranch in Wyoming sometimes,” Jade exclaimed.
“Valdier is a planet in another galaxy or dimension or something. I’m not sure how Phoenix’s portal works yet. We are still analyzing it,” Amber said.
Ashure frowned. “Phoenix from Valdier… That name really does sound familiar,” he murmured, scratching his chin.
Jade nodded. “She came here once. She was telling us all about the different isles. We wanted to visit the Isle of the Monsters. They just sound really awesome. But pirates are pretty… cool, too.”
Amber snorted out a laugh because Jade had called pirates stupid before. Ashure’s lips twitched as if he knew her sister was just being nice for the last bit.
“The boys wanted to come here. They were going to steal a pirate ship, find your hidden treasure, and other stupid stuff,” she said.
“Yeah, but you don’t have to worry. They’re not very good at stealing, fighting, or finding things. They mostly sit around talking big, playing video games, and eating a lot, especially Jabir,” Jade reassured him.
“They may not be the best fighters, but we are,” Amber laughed, patting the duffel bag.
Jade nodded and grinned at Ashure. “We kicked butt against a group of bad guys who were trying to steal one of my mom’s new inventions.”
Ashure looked around at the growing crowd before he cleared his throat and motioned for Jade to rise off the large bag they had ridden in on. Amber helped her sister up.
“It looks like we blew past Phoenix’s rule of don’t engage,” she murmured to Jade.
They both grimaced at the size of the crowd that had formed around them. The odd creatures were listening with mounting interest to their conversation. It was obvious that two young girls mysteriously showing up and creating pandemonium in the cobblestone streets of the Isle of the Pirates didn’t happen often.
“Perhaps it might be best to take this conversation somewhere more… private,” Ashure suggested. “My wife, Tonya, would love to meet you. You appear to have a lot in common with her.”
“Really? Oh, that’s cool. I guess none of our other friends came here,” Jade said, gazing around her.
Ashure shook his head. “No, I believe if any of your friends had arrived, I would know about them.”
Amber bit her lip when Ashure snapped his fingers and a huge creature that had only one eye in the center of its forehead stepped forward.
“Please see that this is delivered to the palace immediately,” he ordered.
“Aye, Your Highness,” the cyclops replied with a bow.
Amber stumbled to a stop and stared in awe when a group of colorful creatures that looked like monkeys appeared. Her mouth dropped open when the mischievous creatures grabbed several pieces of fruit before being chased away. They dove off the dock into the water, chattering and waving their fists at the merchant who was shouting at them.
“Wow!” Jade whispered, leaning closer, her gaze showing that she was referencing everything: the cyclops, the colorful creatures, and the people surrounding them.
Amber nodded.
“Sea monkeys, the bane of my existence. I fear Nali must have learned of my recent acquisition of a shipment of fine bourbon that was meant for the Isle of the Monsters,” he said with a sigh.
Amber giggled when he winked at her and motioned for them to follow him. She couldn’t help but be fascinated by all the creatures they walked by. It was like being on one of the space stations and seeing all the different alien species—only on steroids.
Maybe the pirates weren’t so stupid after all, she thought as a Minotaur passed by, leading two black horses whose hooves shot out sparks every time they stepped down.
“What are those?” she breathed, staring after the creatures.
“Another reason Nali is upset,” he chuckled with a pleased grin. “Her prized Lightning stallions were also on that ship.”
Chapter Thirty-Four
